More than 350 people packed out two town-hall meetings to give their views on the future location of Monklands Hospital – and told how they felt the consultation was “biased” towards Gartcosh.

Now Airdrie and Shotts politicians Alex Neil MSP and Neil Gray MP have called for an external review of the consultation process – particularly after taking issue with NHS Lanarkshire’s groundwork and decontamination costs, which they believe have been overstated in relation to alternative shortlisted site Glenmavis.

Mr Neil called the options appraisal and consultation exercise “a total stitch-up” and said: “We’re demanding they halt the process and that there’s an independent assessment of the facts, the pros and cons.

“People have no confidence in NHS Lanarkshire and don’t believe what the health board are telling them; their answers and the figures they’re providing just seem to be out of thin air and the groundwork costs are an example.

“What became very clear is that there’s a total rejection of Gartcosh; most people thought it appeared the existing site isn’t the right place but 90 per cent said they wanted Glenmavis.

“Those at the meetings felt [the health board] have made up their minds and aren’t listening to what people are saying.

“I hope they see sense as it’s very clear what the mood of the people is. We’ll keep pressing for a review as we’re not lying down to this.”

Neil Gray outside Monklands

The respective groundwork and decontamination costs were stated at £6.2 million and £10 million; but MP Neil Gray said: “I then spoke to the landowner, who told me that work on an adjacent site was going to cost a fraction of that.

“What’s been presented will have influenced the scoring for Gartcosh, to the detriment of Glenmavis.

“There has to be a review into the information and scoring exercise; the most alarming thing for me was that speculative figure as it would have a large impact.”

He added: “Gartcosh isn’t a suitable site for a Monklands hospital and would completely change the catchment.

“Public opinion is very clear – there’s absolutely no doubt that people in Monklands are opposed to that site, which NHS Lanarkshire need to consider; and the overwhelming preference was Glenmavis.

“There had been an element that would have preferred the current site, but I think the offer of donating the land [at Glenmavis] and the size of site required meant people think that, with the new road there, Glenmavis might be the better option.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard was also in attendance at Sir John Wilson town hall – and says the meeting cemented his support for rebuilding on the existing Monkscourt Avenue site.

The Central Scotland MSP said: “It was less of a consultation and more of a presentation, talking up the benefits of Gartcosh; and the more officials promoted Gartcosh, the more people were put off and started to think this was a done deal.

“It was heartening to see so many local people prepared to stand and fight for Monklands– the health board and Scottish Government need to listen to and act on the views of those who use the hospital and I’m determined their views must prevail.”

He continued: “I’m more convinced than ever that a new hospital on the current site is the best long-term option for the area.

“I accept there are challenges building there, but the consultation document itself accepts these can be met and if it can be done at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, it can be done at Monklands.”

Monklands project director Graeme Reid said on ground costs: “Gartcosh was formerly the site of steelworks and the land has been partly remediated due to the business park development; the Glenmavis site was used for landfill and mining.

“Our financial modelling has made allowances for remediation which would be required on the basis of advice from our technical advisors who have relevant experience on numerous other healthcare projects.

“Independent audit of the consultation process is already being carried out by the Scottish Health Council (SHC) – they will produce a formal report which will form part of the documentation considered by the NHS Lanarkshire board.

“The consultation is being conducted in line with official Scottish Government guidance and the SHC is providing ongoing scrutiny of the process to ensure it meets appropriate standards. No preferred option has been identified at this stage.”